Click on the image above to download the January calendar of dates important to communities in Chatham-Kent. Click on the text in the calendar to learn more about each date. The calendar can also be found under the 'Resources' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

If you are printing the calendar, please print on Legal size paper.

If you are sharing with partners, please use our external website version.

Please contact us if you notice dates missing or errors DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

Outlook Calendar

Did you know you can access a DEIJ calendar through Outlook? See and learn about important dates to communities in CK with the click of a button.

To get access to the calendar, email DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or call x. 2447

How to Use the DEIJ Calendar

Along with many other important days, in the middle of January, there are a number of harvest-related festivals honoured across India. The names, celebrations, and traditions vary by region. In addition, people who practice Sikhism will honour the 10th Guru on the 17th. And people who are Mahayana Buddhists will honour the New Year on the 25th day of the Gregorian calendar.

Use this calendar to inform programming, scheduling, and to better understand colleagues and communities we serve. For example:

• Avoid scheduling events (for staff or community) on days important to communities in CK to ensure everyone can participate and show respect for each other.
• Supervisors: People may ask for time off in honour of some of these dates. Employers have a duty to accommodate employee's creed to the point of undue hardship, including providing time off for religious holidays. Learn more from the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
• Outside of these holidays, people may have regular prayer or reflection practices that we can work to support. For example, Friday afternoons are a significant time of prayer for some people of Muslim faith.

We encourage you to get to know your team - find out what days and holidays are important to each other, if and how these days should be acknowledged.

Community Events:

Find information about some of the events to honour important days in our community in the 'Engage' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

Click on the image above to download the December 2023 calendar of dates significant to communities in Chatham-Kent. Click on the text in the calendar to learn more about each date. The calendar can also be found under the 'Resources' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

If you are printing the calendar, please print on Legal size paper.

Please contact us if you notice dates missing or errors deij@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

Planning a Holiday Event?

Check out our Inclusive Holiday Celebrations resource for suggestions about how to be inclusive while celebrating.

People celebrate holidays that are important to them throughout the year, not just in December. Get to know your team, colleagues, and community. Learn about holidays important to them, and how you can acknowledge these, as well.

How to Use the DEIJ Calendar

• Use this calendar to inform programming, scheduling, and to better understand colleagues and communities we serve.
• To ensure everyone can participate and show respect for each other, avoid scheduling events (for staff or community) on days of significance.
• Some holidays involve fasting from certain foods or more prayer - keep this in mind if you are scheduling a meeting or event.
• Supervisors: People may ask for time off in honour of some of these dates. Employers have a duty to accommodate employee's creed to the point of undue hardship, including providing time off for religious holidays. Learn more from the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
• Get to know your team all-year long - find out what days and holidays are important to each other.

Community Events:

Find information about some of the community events to honour days of observance in the 'Engage' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

Note: We are looking for colleagues who would like to share their New Year traditions and customs. Please contact Rebecca if you are interested!

New Year is a time to honour the past and celebrate new beginnings. While many of us celebrate the new year on January 1st, many also recognize different dates. On December 13th, we invite you to share your own traditions and learn about diversity in New Year celebrations with colleagues.

All Municipal employees welcome.

Wednesday, December 13th, 12:15-1:00PM

PABC 224 or Teams (Hybrid)

Light refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring your lunch.

For questions or to register, please contact Rebecca Haskell-Thomas, Coordinator, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447.

Several colleagues have reached out asking about how to be inclusive during the holidays. Thank you for helping to create an inclusive environment where we're curious about one another and support everyone's participation!

We have created a resource with ideas, suggestions, and tips. Click on the link below to see and download the resource.

We'd love to hear your ideas, too. Please contact us if you have questions, concerns, or ideas!

Click on the image above to download the November 2023 calendar of dates significant to communities in Chatham-Kent. Click on the text in the calendar to learn more about each date. The calendar can also be found under the 'Resources' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

Thank you for your feedback on the new format. We've made some changes in response.

If you are printing the calendar, please print on Legal size paper.

Please contact us if you notice dates missing or errors deij@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

How to Use the calendar:

• Use this calendar to inform programming, scheduling, and to better understand colleagues and communities we serve.
• To ensure everyone can participate and show respect for each other, avoid scheduling events (for staff or community) on days of significance.
• Some holidays involve fasting from certain foods or more prayer - keep this in mind if you are scheduling a meeting or event.
• Supervisors: People may ask for time off in honour of some of these dates. Employers have a duty to accommodate employee's creed to the point of undue hardship, including providing time off for religious holidays. Learn more from the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
• Get to know your team all-year long - find out what days and holidays are important to each other.

Community Events:

Find information about community events to honour days of observance in the 'Engage' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

New! Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Lunch and Learn

Learn together in our new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Lunch and Learn series. Join us for our first session on November 10^th. Details below and on CK Central.

DEIJ Lunch and Learn: Deepavali Celebrations

When: November 10^th, 12:15-1:00

Location: PABC 224 and Skype (Hybrid)

Deepavali, the festival of light, is coming!

Join the CK Hindu Cultural Association and Community Attraction and Promotion colleagues to learn about Deepavali and how learning about one another can create a welcoming workplace and community.

To register, contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2247 before November 3rd.

Breastfeeding is a natural and nutritional way to support infants and toddlers to thrive, with lifelong impacts. People who breastfeed shouldn’t have to choose between continuing to breastfeed or participating in the workforce.

CK Public Health is sharing information about how everyone can support colleagues who are breastfeeding.

Learn more below and at the CK Public Health website.

Please click on the image above to download the October 2023 calendar of dates significant to communities in Chatham-Kent. The calendar can also be found under the 'Resources' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

We've made changes to the format of the calendar. We'll continue to make changes as we refine this format. We welcome your feedback.

Please contact us if you notice dates missing or errors deij@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

Uses for the calendar:

• Use this calendar to inform programming, scheduling, and to better understand colleagues and communities we serve.
• To ensure everyone can participate and show respect for each other, avoid scheduling events (for staff or community) on important days of significance.
• Some holidays involve fasting from certain foods or more prayer - keep this in mind if you are scheduling a meeting or event.
• Supervisors: People may ask for time off in honour of some of these dates. Employers have a duty to accommodate employee's creed to the point of undue hardship, including providing time off for religious holidays. Learn more from the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Community Events:

Find more information about community events to honour days of observance in the 'Engage' section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

Chatham-Kent Welcome Week is happening September 8th - 17th. The week is an opportunity to connect newcomers to services in Chatham-Kent, celebrate the contributions of newcomers to Chatham-Kent, and to promote diversity in our community.

Events are happening all week, but the week starts on September 8th with a flag raising at Chatham-Kent Civic Centre at 3:30PM followed by networking and speakers. More details on the flyer above.

A full list of events is available on the Living CK website.

Hope to see you there!

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, how the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is honouring them, community events, and where to learn more.

We would like to have a strong presence at Municipal partnership events. If you are interested in participating or helping at an event, please contact your Supervisor about what arrangements can be made (see Events section).

Contact your DEIJ Champion or the DEIJ Coordinator for more details DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

About September 30th

About Orange Shirt Day

The Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation and residential school Survivor. As she prepared to go to residential school at six years old, Phyllis's grandmother bought her a new orange shirt. When she arrived at the school, the shirt was taken from her. For Phyllis, the shirt represented her experience at residential school, and the neglect and harm children faced. Today, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, commemorative day to reflect, learn, and raise awareness about the inter-generational impacts of residential schools. September 30th was chosen because it's the time of year children would be taken from their home to residential schools.

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day from the Orange Shirt Society or read the book Phyllis's Orange Shirt.

About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was officially recognized by the Government of Canada in 2021 as a result of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This is a day to lean in, listen, and learn about the ongoing impacts of colonization, including residential schools. It's a day to learn the 'truth' of our shared history, but also about how we can create pathways towards reconciliation and healing in our personal and professional lives.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day on the Government of Canada website.

Honouring September 30th at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent

The Municipality is partnering on several community events to honour Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage staff to participate in these events as able, learn, and reflect. More details in the 'Events' section below.

September 30th is a great time to commit to learning. Resources to support learning are included in the 'Learn' section below.

Time Off from Work

Although September 30th is a federally recognized Statutory holiday, it is not by the government of Ontario. All Municipal services and programs are operating. If you need time away to honour the day, please make arrangements with your Supervisor to use lieu time or another arrangement.

Supports

You are not alone. Reach out if you need support.

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help 24/7 to all Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 1-855-242-3310 (toll free) or online chat www.hopeforwellness.ca

National Residential School Crisis Line provides 24/7 crisis support to former Residential School students and their families. 1-866-925-4419 (toll free)

Municipal Flags

To begin week-long events, the National Truth & Reconciliation Survivor's flag will be raised at the Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 26th. See event details below.

To commemorate National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Municipal flags at all Municipal buildings will be lowered on September 29th.

Orange Shirts

We encourage colleagues to wear orange the week of September 25th-30th to show support for Every Child Matters and Truth and Reconciliation. Any orange shirt or orange shirt pin works. If you prefer to purchase items specifically for the day from local Indigenous vendors, please reach out to the DEIJ Coordinator for information. DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

Events

Below is a list of some of the events happening in Chatham-Kent. We hope colleagues will participate, as able, to show a strong presence.

If you are interested in participating or helping out at the Municipal events where help is needed, please contact your Supervisor to determine what arrangements can be made.

For more information or to share other events, contact the DEIJ Coordinator DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

People are encouraged to wear orange at all events.

Tuesday, September 26, 11:30 AM Flag Walk & Raising

HELP NEEDED. Contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

Starts: Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 495 King St W., Chatham

Ends: Civic Centre, 315 King St W., Chatham

Municipal partnership. Walk with and raise the Truth & Reconciliation Survivor's flag. Partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre. Police escort will be present.

Thursday, September 28 Sunrise & Moon Gatherings

7:00AM Sunrise Gathering; 8:00AM Networking Breakfast; 9:00-11:00AM Sharing Circle

7:00-9:00PM Full Moon Gathering

All events at Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub, 495 King St. W. Chatham. Bring a lawn chair and warm clothing.

Offered through the 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, and Women's Equity Business.

Friday, September 29, 10:00 AM Orange Shirt Day Storytime

120 Queen Street, Chatham

Municipal partnership. Join the CK Public Library, Chatham Branch, for storytime to recognize and support Orange Shirt Day with Linda Lou, guest Librarian from Bkejwanong Territory, Walpole Island First Nation Public Library.

Friday, September 29, 10:30 AM Healing Walk and Gathering

HELP NEEDED. Contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

Starts: Wallaceburg Library, 209 James St., Wallaceburg

Ends: Civic Square Park, Wallaceburg

Municipal partnership. Walk together and listen to guest speakers share their experiences and ideas about how we can heal. Partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-kent and Bkejwanong Territory Giyakiishchigewin program.

Saturday, September 30th, 7-11PM. Turns and Tales

By Punk Rock Flea Market. All ages and communities friendly event. Punk Nite Honours Truth & Reconciliation. Indigenous vendors. Donation to local charity. DJ Sisyphus playing Indigenous artists.

Learn

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action Number 57 calls upon all levels of governments (including municipal) to:

provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

September 30th is a great time to commit to learning. Resources to support learning are included below. This list is not comprehensive but is meant as a starting place. Feel free to share resources you've found helpful in the Comments.

Listen:

A Day to Listen (September 30th)

Tune in to your favourite local radio station to learn about Mino Bimaadiziwin (the Good Life in Anishinabemowin). Learn more from the Downie & Wenjack Fund website.

Watch:

Orange Shirt Day

Learn about the origins of Orange Shirt Day through this Youtube video by the Orange Shirt Society.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Lunch and Learns (September 25-29, 1:30-2:20 each day)

Open to anyone, five different webinars are offered throughout the week covering everything from the history and impacts of residential school, unconscious bias, to frameworks for how to move towards reconciliation. Learn more from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

Read:

Residential Schools Timeline

A visual timeline of residential schools in Canada. Find it on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

The Witness Blank

Explore items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings accompanied by the voices of Survivors. Visit The Witness Blanket website.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Drafted from consultations with residential schools survivors and family members across the Canada. Recommendations are directed at individuals, organizations, and all levels of government. Read the Calls to Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.

CK Road to Understanding Indigenous Cultures

Learn about local First Nations, relationships with government, and Treaties. Find the resource on the Living CK website. Hard copies of this resource are available by contacting the DEIJ Coordinator DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or x. 2447

AMO Resources for Municipal - Indigenous Relationships

View resources and information from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario website.

Training:

The following organizations offer training to meet Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 57 (see above):

Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (fee based)

Indigenous Corporate Training (fee based)

4 Seasons of Reconciliation (fee based)

University of Alberta Indigenous Canada course (free)